Buhrer has been given several opportunities this year in the starting side when Stewart has been injured and played well enough to convince officials he can do the job on a full-time basis.

Stewart had hoped to finish his career as a one-club man alongside brother and teammate Brett, but salary cap pressure meant the Sea Eagles were never in a position to make him an offer. Instead, he accepted a two-year deal to join South Sydney, filling a void created by the departure of Queensland back-rower Ben Te'o.

Buhrer, who will play his 100th first-grade game for the club this year if he stays injury free, represented NSW during their 2012 campaign but only played a handful of minutes from the bench.

Buhrer grew up as a Manly fan despite coming through the junior system of Parramatta. The Eels tried to snare the Patrician Brothers Blacktown product on an immediate transfer this year but he never had any desire to leave the northern beaches. The 24-year-old's partner, Grace Adler, is a Sea Eagles employee and he is close to many of his teammates, most notably Daly Cherry-Evans. Manly are keen to extend and upgrade the contract of the star halfback, who has fielded a $1.1 million per season offer from Brisbane. Buhrer's retention is viewed as part of the strategy to keep Cherry-Evans long term.

Salary cap pressures have made it difficult to retain the nucleus of the side that has been a constant finalist, but Manly have kept most of their best young talent. Utility back Peta Hiku remained loyal despite a more lucrative offer from the Warriors, while there will be some hard calls made on senior players over the next 12 months. Co-captain Jason King is off contract but may retire at the end of the season to pursue off-field opportunities. Anthony Watmough's big pay day will come next year after deferring payments to the end of his contract to help retain teammates.

Buhrer, who spent Tuesday morning promoting an active lifestyle to students at St Joseph's Primary School with teammate Tony Satini, will move into the second row for the clash with the Roosters to cover for the suspended Watmough. Dunamis Lui will shift to lock in the only positional change to the side that kept Cronulla scoreless.

Manly sit on top of the NRL ladder but could slip to as low as fifth with a loss, pending other results. The Sea Eagles lost all four games against the Roosters last year but took some revenge with an 8-0 win at Allianz Stadium in round four.